LooneyToonArmy

Steve Harper is close to signing a new three-year contract extension at Newcastle United, the clearest sign yet that the club are paving the way for Shay Given to join Manchester City this week. Given and Michael Kennedy, his solicitor, will have talks with Derek Llambias, the Newcastle managing director, on Tyneside today, when the Ireland international will reiterate his desire to embrace a fresh challenge. The long-serving Given is a pivotal figure at St James’ Park - a match-saving goalkeeper and hugely popular with fans - but while Joe Kinnear has spoken of his determination to retain his services, any decision may be removed from the manager’s hands, with City willing to match Newcastle’s £10 million valuation. The renewed bid, made late last week, to secure the future of Harper, who had originally been offered a contract on reduced terms, is telling. The 33-year-old’s present deal expires at the end of the season, but with Given’s position in the balance, Newcastle recently rejected Tottenham Hotspur’s £500,000 offer for the reserve goalkeeper. Nicky Butt is also close to agreeing a 12-month extension. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article5587494.ece

Ebondo expected to be at the training ground for a medical according to The Times? hmmm http://www.imscouting.com/global_news_item.aspx?id=1166

Milan Midfielder Emerson Set For Portsmouth Move - Report Carlo Ancelotti has dropped Brazilian midfielder Emerson for the trip to Bologna and Tuttomercatoweb claims that the ex-Juventus man is poised to depart the Diavoli to join Premier League club Portsmouth. He was apparently left out due to a foot problem, but his agent Gilmar Veloz seemed annoyed last night when asked about the omission. “You shouldn’t be asking me to know why he was dropped, ask the people in charge…” Tuttomercatoweb quotes him as saying. It is suggested that Portsmouth have approached Milan over the past few days to bring the 32-year-old to Fratton Park on loan with a view to a permanent move next summer. Emerson has struggled to make an impact at Milan ever since joining from Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 and his contract with the Diavoli is set to run out at the end of the current season.

Newcastle Interested In Costa Rican Striker January 25th, 2009 There is news today in that bastion of truthful journalism, the News Of The World, that Newcastle are after a Costa Rican footballer, who is currently playing in the Belgium League. The news is that Newcastle United have sent scouts to check on Jupiler League club AA Gent star striker, Bryan Ruiz Brian played for Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA), a Costa Rican football club playing in the Primera División de Costa Rica, from 2003 until 2006, when he was picked up by Gent. He played 67 times with 25 goals for Deportiva Alajuelense, and has appeared 60 times with 20 goals for AA Gent. He has also played 14 times for his country, Costa Rica, and has 6 international goals. Brian was born in August of 1985 in San José, and scored his first hat trick playing for Gent on December 8th 2007 against Lokeren.

25 January 2009 ROB LEE: IT PAINS ME TO SAY IT BUT THE CLUB THAT I LOVE COULD EASILY GO DOWN EXCLUSIVE TOON TURMOIL All hands on deck in major battle to save the Tyne-tanic By Alan Oliver If Toon legend Rob Lee didn't realise how bad it had become he does now. "I never thought I would live to see and hear Newcastle fans singing 'We are s**** and we know we are'. Never!" said the former player who typified the class, style and steel so sadly lacking at his beloved club now. Lee was also stunned when he read in PEOPLE SPORT last week that Joe Kinnear blamed predecessors Kevin Keegan an "Joe Kinnear knew the score and the situation and if there had not been major problems at the club he would not have got the job," said Lee. "Kevin Keegan also knew the situation but he could not get the players he wanted and this was one reason he left." Kinnear forgets that the squad he inherited from big Sam has 14 full internationals. However former England international Lee concedes: "Newcastle do have a thin squad compared with other Premier League clubs but they still have plenty of quality players. "I hate to think what will happen if they lose their best two - Shay Given and Michael Owen. But I don't blame Shay for wanting to go, because Newcastle United is not a place you would want to be at the moment. When Scott Parker was thinking of joining Newcastle I advised him to go because it was a fantastic club. "But I could not and would not advise anybody to go there in the current circumstances. While there are so many problems off the field nothing will change on it. "Newcastle need quality players but it does not look as if the money is there for them. Not only can they not compete with the top four for players but they are behind the likes of Aston Villa and Spurs and this shows just how far they have fallen. "In any case if you were to ask me if a quality player would go to St James' Park I would have to say no. "It pains me to say it but my old team could easily go down. Their next fixtures against Man City, West Brom and Sunderland are not easy games. Then they have the big boys. Newcastle must pull together or they're in big trouble." Lee - described by Keegan as his best ever buy as Newcastle manager - is 43 next Sunday, the day they play Sunderland. He says: "Even at my age I still feel fit enough to get into the Newcastle team."

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Dino Drpic has been put on the transfer list after his Playboy model wife boasted on television that the couple made love on the pitch at the club's Maksimir Stadium. (Sunday Times)

any better than Gary Caldwell once of our reserve team who was deemed not good enough?

Just NOTW ARABS PULL OUT OF TAKEOVER LIVERPOOL were reeling from a £1billion blow last night when the Kuwaiti consortium pulled OUT of negotiations to buy the club. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/141811/ARABS-PULL-OUT-OF-TAKEOVER.html

Brazilian paper ‘O Lance’ paper are saying Newcastle could be interested in Cruzeiro’s goalkeeper Fabio. http://www.lance.com.br/clubes/CRUZEIRO/noticias/09-01-24/474000.stm?fabio-proximo-de-um-acerto-com-newcastle

b******!! Keep forgetting about that If Owen goes it won't be a problem. Saviola won't get what we are currently paying Owen. I read he`s on 2.5m euros a year. would be great at least to try and get him on loan. I`m sure Real might even be willing to pay half or part of his wages if it helps get him off their books in a loan deal. I`m sure we`re not in for him anyways

STEVEN TAYLOR has handed Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear a major boost ahead of next Wednesday’s trip to Manchester City. The Toon defender has missed the last two games due to a nagging calf injury, but he emerged smiling from this week’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Carlisle United after getting 90 minutes under his belt without suffering a reaction. Taylor – who scored in the 1-1 draw with the Cumbrians – turned 23 yesterday, and celebrated with the news he was fit for the clash at Eastlands. He told the Chronicle: “I’ve had a problem with my calf for a few weeks, and a couple of other niggles. “There’s never a good time to suffer an injury. “It’s been frustrating not being 100% fit, so it was great to get 90 minutes under my belt. “I felt great, and I hope to be involved against Man City, which is a massive game for us. “We need to take something from the game, and there’s no reason why we can’t get a good result if we play to our strengths.” Taylor’s return gives Kinnear a problem he isn’t used to this season, with a defensive selection headache awaiting him ahead of the game with City. Taylor has been fielded as a right-back since picking up a different injury in November which forced Kinnear to rely on Sebastian Bassong and Fabricio Coloccini in the centre-back positions. Some good form before Christmas meant Kinnear stuck with the partnership. However, with United on a run of four games without a win, there could be changes for the game with Man City. David Edgar played at right-back against Blackburn, leaving Kinnear with plenty to think about over the weekend before the clash with Mark Hughes’ side.

from what I`ve read on a Besiktas forum he is/was very injury prone which fits right in with us. Apparently a decent defender when fit though

Owen could be next to Villa MARTIN O’NEILL has Emile Heskey in the bag — and Michael Owen as a possible summer target. The Aston Villa boss last night snapped up £3.5million striker Heskey, 31, on a 3½-year deal from Wigan. O’Neill then refused to rule out a move for hitman Owen, whose Newcastle contract runs out at the end of the season. That throws up the intriguing prospect of the ex-Liverpool pair renewing the partnership which brought them success at Anfield and with England. O’Neill said: “I’m not saying that I will move for Owen in the summer — I’ve not looked at anything at that remote a distance. “But that’s not to say Michael Owen is not a terrific player. We wait to see. Anything is possible. Kaka is a possibility! “We want to try to compete at this level but what’s happening in the future? I have no idea.” Owen, 29, earns £110,000 a week on Tyneside and wants £150,000 a week from his next deal when he will be a free agent. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2166603.ece?OTC-RSS&ATTR=Football

there must be some money built up in the transfer kitty http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/football/gallery/2008/oct/15/newcastleunited/neil_pollock-5677.jpg

has anyone told him on facebook about this thread?

Sunderland have enquired about Fiorentina defender Manuel da Costa Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia has admitted he is in the market for a new stopper as he looks to solve the defensive problems at the Stadium of Light. A number of players have been linked with Sunderland and Portugal Under 21 international Da Costa is among Sbragia's targets. Da Costa is considering his future at Fiorentina after failing to establish himself as a regular in Cesare Prandelli's side. A number of sides are believed to be monitoring the central defender's situation at the Artemio Franchi and the player's agent Frank Peslerbe admits Sunderland have expressed an interest in the former PSV Eindhoven star. "I have spoken with Sunderland about Manuel, but there is nothing concrete at the moment," Peslerbe told skysports.com. "Sunderland are looking for a defender and they have spoken about signing Manuel. "Manuel would be interested in a move to Sunderland or any other team as he just wants to play. "He has a problem at Fiorentina in that he does not play and he is ready to move. "It depends on the Fiorentina coach Prandelli to see if they will let him leave to play."

No Toon talks for Donadel Fiorentina midfielder Marco Donadel has been tipped to move to Newcastle United, but his agent denies any talks have taken place. The 25-year-old has been with the Viola since signing from Milan in 2005, but lately he has been less of a regular in the first team. Recent reports suggested that the No 4 may have a future in England, but Davide Lippi has refuted such claims. “There is nothing new at the moment, but we are prepared to assess any offers that do arrive,” he told Firenzeviola.it. “Marco has several suitors, not only in Italy but also abroad, even though he has rarely played this season. “However, he would like to remain in Florence as he wants to live in the city for a long time. “There are no concrete offers right now, but there comes a time in every footballer's career when you have to make an inevitable choice...” http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan22h.html

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2009/01/22/supporters-club-attacks-fiasco-at-newcastle-72703-22753172/ Supporters club attacks fiasco at Newcastle Jan 22 2009 by Adam Jupp, Evening Chronicle The fall of Newcastle United this season is angering fans whose loyalty is being s DISMAYED by the demise of their beloved club in recent weeks, Toon supporters today hit out. Newcastle United finds itself dangerously close to the drop zone with only an interim manager, scrapping team-mates and an owner unpopular with fans. Compounded by a lack of activity in the transfer market, the situation is angering large sections of the Magpies faithful who still turn out in their thousands. Today, the newly-formed Newcastle United Supporters Club, set up in the wake of Kevin Keegan’s controversial St James’s Park exit, issued a statement outlining their feelings. Spokesman Michael Ord said: “Anyone who had any doubts regarding the parlous state of Newcastle United only had to watch the farcical second half at Ewood Park on January 17, then glance at the league table, to see that the chickens are well and truly home to roost. “While other clubs act to improve their squad and pick up points, Newcastle – with just one point from the last four league games – are proving long on talk from the manager and short on action. “While the playing staff are stretched to the limit, the supporters are perhaps beyond that – fractious arguments between sections of travelling fans at Hull and Blackburn are bad signs, yet almost understandable in the current situation.” NUSC was formed after Kevin Keegan walked out on the club, blaming transfer policy issues surrounding the appointment of executive director (football) Dennis Wise, vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez and managing director Derek Llambias. Joe Kinnear was installed as interim boss, a surprise appointment to most supporters and, following fierce protests after the club’s home defeat to Hull City, owner Mike Ashley announced he wanted to sell the club. London-based firm Seymour Pierce were instructed to handle the sale but failed to find a buyer, with Ashley flying to Dubai with Wise and co but snubbing a meeting with Sheikhs said to be interested in a deal. The club was taken off the market and Kinnear’s contract extended until the end of the season. But it is unclear whether he will be given funds in the January transfer window. Mr Ord added: “Ludicrously, we are still the only visiting side to get a point at Old Trafford this season, and that, placed in the context of our current plight shows the harm done in late August. “This window closes in two weeks time. We may have enough time to bring in the players we need, we may have enough cash being made available to the manager to do it, we may hold on to our best players through this window. One thing for sure; if we don’t we will be looking at relegation in May. “How on earth have we been turned into this relegation-haunted laughing stock?” During the club’s 3-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, managed by ex-boss Sam Allardyce, midfielder Joey Barton, recently released from jail, clashed with defender Jose Enrique, with the pair having to be kept apart by teammates. And this week striker Andy Carroll and want-away winger Charles N’Zogbia reportedly exchanged blows on the training pitch. Both incidents have been played down by the club but dismayed fans further. Mr Ord said: “It is an indication that tempers are getting very frayed. So for the umpteenth time, we invite Mr Ashley to talk to us. Start by telling us what in the name of God is going on at our football club.’’

Derek Llambias move to step up player hunt Jan 22 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle NEWCASTLE UNITED managing director Derek Llambias has moved his office to the club’s training ground to step up efforts to buy new players as time runs out in the transfer window. Llambias is still in discussions with Peter Lovenkrands’ agent over a move to Tyneside until the end of the season, but so far there have been no new faces through the door at St James’s Park. Toon boss Joe Kinnear is working with Llambias over transfers as United look to bolster their paper-thin squad before the window slams shut on February 2. Kinnear told the Chronicle: “Derek’s down here on a permanent basis. “I’ve moved him to the training ground – I wanted him more hands-on. “We need to be able to move quickly, and it’s easier to coordinate things if we’re working together at the training ground. “We’ve made bids for a number of players, and we’re waiting to hear from their clubs.” Lovenkrands’ agent jetted into Tyneside this week after the Dane impressed Kinnear during a behind-closed-doors friendly match with Carlisle United. The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving German club Schalke 04 last month and is keen to sign. A source close to the Dane said today: “Peter is desperate to sign for Newcastle and wants to show the fans what he is capable of.”

find that hard to believe. Surely if he was available for 1.8m there would have been clubs that would have snapped him up for that price in the summer. Never even heard that supposed clause until today

first i heard about the Xisco comment, would explain the exclusion ---- http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/premier-league-fans/2009/01/a-frustrated-newcastle-fan-wan.html Newcastle fan Steve Hastie got in touch with the Daily Mirror's man in the North East Simon Bird he is so frustrated with the goings on at St James' Park. Simon is a NUFC fan and member of the Newcastle United Supporters club, who have been demanding a meeting with Mike Ashley to discuss a positive way forward for the club for months... only to get no reply. Here is what he had to say: The ramblings of Joe Kinnear are getting beyond a joke now. The absolute indignation from fans that he has been offered a long term contract is there for all to see. We are beginning to think George Bush is running his PR for him. Newcastle fans are getting more militant by the day as their anticipated support from Ashley fizzles away like a wet firework. If no quality signings mature and players like Given are sold, EXPECT mass protest at the league home game after the window closes. Even those who backed him now see Kinnear as a stool pigeon for Ashley. Wise is surely pulling all the strings behind the scenes. The club are now even letting fans who signed up for season tickets for the next three years cancel their direct debits for the next two seasons and they are being inundated with claims. Consensus being that lads would rather have the money in their own accounts than Ashley's, even if it costs them in the long run. We have to up the ante on md Derek Llambias and Dennis Wise, bypassing Ashley, who clearly has no interest in liaising with the fans or talking to them. These two are certainly seen by the fans as public enemy 1 and 2 and if Ashley is not selling, then they are legitimate targets who have got off lightly of late. During the last couple of months there has certainly been a "lets see what they are going to do" type of attitude among the supporters and a reluctance to protest out of fear that, if they rock the boat Ashley will once again point a finger at the fans. As the deadline looms it looks more and more bleak. We hear from insiders that every player is once again available as it was at the end of August, there are no "untouchables" and Xisco is not being played because they don't want to pay the instalment of £2.7m due, once he has played 10 games. Fear, turning to realisation then to anger is the worst mix. Blind loyalty to the club and fear that anything they do will destroy the club certainly lurks in the psyche of many fans who we communicate with. Meanwhile Ashley destroys the brand, the playing staff, the hopes of the fans and ultimately the premier league position.. Performances at home have been mixed to say the least and with Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all still to come to St James's Park you cannot see points materialising. Add to these the pressure derbies against Sunderland and Boro and you have an explosive scenario building up at SJP.. The former being on the day before the transfer window closes. Away from home they play six pointers against west brom, man city, spurs, blackburn stoke and Bolton as well as Liverpool and Villa. These are desperate times, the worst i have known in 42 years (I'm 49 years old) and the uncertainty is nothing short of a a disgrace. Even in the dark days of Shepherd, Fletcher and Hall Jr, supporters thought they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. This time round the lights are gradually being switched off around us. Sympathy and support for Kinnear is rapidly tailing off the longer there is no positive transfer activity. He is under pressure and knows it.

same old same old.....we shouldn`t be too surprised

Manchester City have moved in for Cudicini's services after having a £5.5m bid for Shay Given rejected. (Daily Express)

probably not true but talk about fall from grace Wigan and Bolton are chasing Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards for £5m. (The Sun) --- again probably not true but if true, get him in Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is checking on Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen who could be available for £2m. (The Sun)

wasn`t aware of any trouble until i read this --- Geordie fans cause havoc in Chorley prior to Blackburn Rovers game 4:13pm Wednesday 21st January 2009 Police were called to Chorley town centre on Saturday lunchtime after reports that a large group of Newcastle United fans were causing havoc. Traders and shoppers reported fans smashing bottles and urinating in the street close to the Crown pub on Chapel Street. The fans were in town prior to their game with Blackburn Rovers later in the day. Police said no arrests were made and order was soon restored. http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/4065127.Geordie_fans_cause_havoc_in_Chorley_prior_to_Blackburn_Rovers_game/